Page 99 of A Kingdom of Destruction

This strong fae male handled her like she was something precious who deserved good things. For the first time in a longtime, Aven might actually be able to allow herself to believe it, too.

The day finally came. Cillian returned to the palace with his visitor in tow that morning and promptly sent word for her to get dressed and be ready. They didn’t have a lot of time before they’d leave again; this visit was a short one. King Fergus was not staying for the ceremony.

Not only had the invitation not been extended, but he’d painfully let everyone know on the ride here that he had no intention of remaining for longer than necessary.

Cillian stared straight ahead and hustled her down the stairs until Aven felt like she might burst. His mirth shifted into something somber on their approach to the library, and he paused, lifting both her hands to his mouth and kissing her knuckles, his blue eyes boring into hers.

“If you get into a brawl, I’ll have the guards standing by. Your visitor brought his own, and yet I don’t trust them to be adequate if a situation should arise,” he told her.

Aven arched a brow. “What do you mean, a brawl?” Why would Cillian expect her to lose her cool with her father? “I’m perfectly capable of controlling myself, thank you very much.”

“Even so. I wouldn’t blame you if you did. These last few days spent with him have been nothing but a hassle. He’s… an acquired taste.”

“Putting it nicely.”

Kids dreamed of a father who would make them feel seen and valued. Hers had valued her but only for what she might bring to him. They’d been unable to refute what his eyes saw when it came to her prowess leading men.

Still, he was her father. And she had no one left. Nothing except the man inside the room and separated from her by only a single wooden door.

She stared over Cillian’s shoulder at the knob like it might somehow shift into a snake and bite her.

“Go on. It’s going to be fine,” he assured her.

True to his word, Cillian employed many more guards than he’d ever had at her disposal before. She counted five at the entrance to the library and surely would see more at the doors leading out into the courtyard. Her own mental defenses high and her skin tingling, she walked into the room alone.

Her eyes went wide at the sight of her father standing in front of the long table.

He’d lost weight since the last time she saw him. A haggardness pressed down on him that hadn’t been there before, and the bags under his eyes went deep, sagging all the way down to his cheeks. His hair held many more white strands as well, and they stood out in stark contrast to the darkness she was used to seeing.

He didn’t hold his arms out for her, and she didn’t race toward him.

Shock kept them both rooted in place, and they stared at each other for a long moment. Her spine straight and her feet glued to the floor, insides tumbling together sickeningly.

“I hear you’ve been quite busy with this wedding,” King Fergus said at last.

She jolted at the sound of his voice and the rough timbre she’d heard her entire life. Aven cleared her throat. “The wedding prep is a lot for me. I get to take breaks at times.” Oh god, she was babbling. “Cillian steals me away for breaks sometimes as well.” To kiss, hold hands…

Her father nodded along with her, although his shaggy brows were a harsh line mimicked by his mouth. Why did it feel likeshe had no clue where to start with him? There was plenty to say. Too many things, in fact, and she’d been building up entire conversations in her head since she’d heard the truth.

“What are you doing here?”

“What, you didn’t think I’d be allowed over the threshold of your new home?” He spat out the word like something dirty.

“Or perhaps I thought you would be too busy trying to rebuild Grimrose without the help of your children to be able to take a break.” Antagonizing him wasn’t going to help either one of them make it through this slightly awkward situation.

But the fact that Cillian allowed her to see her father pre-wedding might be a sign that heactuallyloves her. She clung to the thought and wrapped it around herself like a comforting warmth. Focusing on the feeling rather than the strangeness.

32

“Things have been terrible since you left.” Her father took a step forward. “It’s been real work to attempt to rebuild what those beasts have destroyed. Not fun, or games, like planning a wedding. Have you thought about your family at all while you’ve lived this life of comfort?”

Aven knew seeing her father again would unhinge her on an integral level. Had known it even though she wanted to see him more than anything.

His taunts landed harder than she wanted and exactly the way she knew they would.

“Because I’ve thought of you, my only child,” King Fergus said. He swept his hair out of his face, and the scar on his skin stood out to attention—a red puckered line she stared at. “Every waking moment I’ve been struggling, trying to figure out a way to bring you back while helping our people. Just to learn thatthisis what you’ve chosen?”

She refused to cower in the face of his jibes.

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